7 senior officials arrested in Thai police scandal

A senior Thai police officer and six colleagues have been arrested on serious charges ranging from bribery to insulting the monarchy, and police said yesterday they are investigating more suspects in the high-profile scandal.

National Police Chief Somyot Pumpanmuang said at a news conference that the highest-ranking suspect, former Central Investigation Bureau chief Lieutenant General Pongpat Chayapan, had confessed to all charges, including soliciting bribes for job appointments and allowing illegal gambling and oil smuggling. Police also issued arrest warrants for three civilians.

Somyot said a search of buildings belonging to the suspects arrested Sunday had turned up assets worth up to 10 billion baht ($305 million). He said the actual value was hard to assess because in addition to cash, gold and land deeds, the items found also included valuable Buddhist amulets and antiques.